Knowing the Difference

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31-32 (New American Standard Bible)

Sometimes I can read a portion of Scripture and walk away thinking I know what it is saying, only to discover later that one aspect completely escaped me. This morning that aspect that is being seen is from the phrase, “know the truth.” To me, it meant the taking in knowledge. To be told something, to read something, to hear something would equate knowing it and would hence lead to freedom. This morning I realized that I was confusing knowing ‘about’ something with knowing it.

I know that knowing about someone is different from actually knowing them and being in relationship with them. Knowing about a certain food is different from actually tasting it. Knowing about an activity is different from knowing it from experience. Cognitive knowledge is not the same as experiential knowledge. It is no different in the spiritual realm.

This is explaining to me why I can spend years searching Scripture, reading books, sitting under wise counsel, and even praying and still live with a sense that areas of my life have not been affected or transformed past the surface. Mindsets, actions, and heart issues remain pretty much unchanged and I am now seeing why. It is not due to a lack of desire or lack of knowledge. It is due to knowing more ’about’ the truth than actually knowing the truth. To understand it, perceive it, feel it, take it to heart, apply it, but most of all to depend on the Spirit of God to get it into the deepest part of me.

I have the ability to change my actions and modify my behavior but that will only be a temporary fix at best. I thank God for individuals who have shared profound truth with me over the years, but because they are simply people and not God, they did not have the ability to get that truth fully into me even though many times that is what I looked for them to do. My heart needs to change and my mind needs to be renewed through God’s Word and by God’s Spirit. Then and only then will I begin to walk in freedom.

Father, I have often looked to people and books to help me change. While they can give me knowledge ONLY You can help me truly know. Free me through the truth as I come to know it not just know about it. Amen.

Ancient Words - Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vmTkXNpwzs

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.